Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-08-13
THE RAIN MAKER.


1t WAS at Martinique, in the month q
August, 1895. For six long weeks III,
impetuous south wind had blown acros.
the sandy fields and rocky slopes, tanning
them drier and drier with its hot wings
while a vertical and all embracing SUI
seemed pcrpetually on the point of re
klndling from without the extinct fires oi
the old volcano
Under an arbor in the Dominican con
vent, on the Isles des Moines. sat the gooG
Fathers Temple, Rosie, Bournot and
Fraize, gazing sadly out toward their per
ishing gardens, upon which depended
their winter store of maize and beans, and
murmuring against the saints who de-
spite their prayers, accorded them no sue
cor
The very pumpkins have stopped
growing, complained Pere Temple. "and
the melons, fear. are past help, even
should rain fall within an hour
There is not the faintest promise that
il will rain within twenty-four hours, -
said Pere Rosie, turning his eyes up to
the binding blue vault upon which no
shadow of cloud appeared. 1t is very
hard that the innocent must suffer thus
with the guilty. The good Lord not only
sends his rain alike upon the just and the
unjust. but wishholds it equally from the
faithful servant and the imputent trans
greSsor. Who among us has failed To fast
and pray, or To pay his dues Of service,
that our gardens should perish like those
OF the wicked:'
1T is true" sighed Father Bournot
The age Of miracles seems indeed past
The saints no longer show forth the power
and glory Of God 10y those signal favors
with which they were wont to distinguish
the true believer from the iniidcl bias
phemer."
We have taken it upon ourselves to
fight in the forefront of the battle against
heathendom," said Father Temple, pious-
ly, land we must not complain if God
proves us by trials more severe thar those
laid upon us in our own land: rather
should we he melted THEREBY to the greater
fervor and vigilance. that for our sakes the
island may be delivered from total de
struction.'
While the good fathers talked thus
among themselves Siat, the little negro
servant and proteCe of Father Fraize,
rigidly erect behind his master, listened
At the close of Father Temples pious
Saat graVely advanced, and
placing himself with a respectful obeisancc
in front Of the monks, began TO speak with
great earneStneSs.
Now Saat spoke in tongue unknown
to any present save his master, Father
Fraize, who had lived for many years rs
in the kingdom Of Juda, in
Guinea, whence indeed he had but re-
Gently returned, bringing Saat with him.
The other monks looked with surprise at
the neGrillon, who, ordinarily extremely
well behaved. had never before intruded
upon their conversation in this strange
fashion. Father Fraize, however. smiled
upon his protege, and, turn
Ing to his brethren, said:
''Saat is really making good progress
IN the French tongue. He has understood
your complaints of the drought and he
offers with Your permission TO bring rain
upon your gardens at once
The little pagan exclaimed Father
Temple. Does he imagine We will per
NIT his heathen sorceries here
You must ramcnrivT that he does not
yet fully understand the difference be-
the superstitious rites of his own people,
returned the Pere Fraize, apologetically.
'lou know that in his country there are
professional rainmakers -.
''Ies. yes" interrupted Saat. this time
in his difficult and imperfect French.
which he found far too slow for important
''Saat's grandfather big
much strong. Saat. too,
make rain come when you want him.
He fixed his great eyes, black and shin
ng as two balls Of polished jet. upon his
master, with an expression eager and
earnest, which bespoke the fullest conf
lence in his ability To perform what he
promised.
Il fear You have a difficult subject
here. Brother Fraize," said the Pere
Temple. The boy plainly believes him
elf a sorcerer by birthright, and such is
he passion for the supernatural in the
human mind that it is doubtful whether
he salvation of his own soul would be a
,rize sufficiently great to induce him to
elinquish his wicked enchantments."
But it is very remarkable, the power
ome of these people really seem to pos
'ess, said Father Beurnot, diverted from
lis grievance against the saints by the
of miracles by no means
'aintly. Il remember when l was preach
ng a mission at Iaomentin, two years
lgo. there was a negro conjurer there who
PREDICTED tie death of a woman within
our days, and in effect she did die on the
ourth day"
Died of fright, no doubt" returned
Father Temple. "A weak intellect and a
trong imagination might very well bring
bout the fulfillment of such a predic-
ion"
No imagination-not even the strong
could have detained one Of
he ships of NJ. lie Comte de Gennes in
he harbor for six weeks" replied Father
3ournot.
'rother," said Father Temple. Il have
lever believed in that miraculous deten-
ion. notwithstanding the grave assevera-
ions of the Pere Labat.'
But it is true affirmed Pere Rosie.
i myself saw the ship lying there as if
lailed fast, and, moreover, the hearts and
ivers of the sailors who died under the
urse of the black witch were found as
mpty rs balloons
so they were," confirmed Father
3ouruot, ''and the same black witch
ould, without touching them, eat out the
learts of melous securely locked away in
he pantry, leaving the skins unbroken."
Father Temple responded only by deris-
We laugh, but Father Fraize, who was no
,reat talker, although he too must have
cen some wonderful things, interposed.
Suppose, then" he said, instead of So
much fruitless discussion, which, after all.